Creighton University has been named Tree Campus USA for the fourth year in a row. Tree Campus USA which recognizes colleges and universities promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation, was started in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

To receive recognition Creighton had to meet five core standards set by Tree Campus USA. The university must establish a tree advisory committee, show evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicate annual expenditures for its campus tree program, hold an Arbor Day observance, and sponsor student service-learning projects.

“Creighton Arborist Jessica Heller has done an outstanding job of educating students, faculty and staff about the importance of trees on campus as well as getting student groups involved in the annual planting and care of the trees,” said Lennis Pederson, associate vice president for administration at Creighton.

Tree Campus USA, a national program launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. Tree Campus USA is supported by a generous grant from Toyota.

“Students throughout the country are passionate about sustainability and community improvement, which makes Creighton’s emphasis on well-maintained and healthy trees so important,” said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “By achieving Tree Campus USA recognition, Creighton University will continue to set an example for other colleges and universities and give students a chance to give back to both their campus community and the community at-large.”

During 2011, the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota helped campuses throughout the country plant 30,000 trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities have invested more than $22 million in campus forest management. More information about the Tree Campus USA program is available at www.arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.